That's everything!

Be sure to tune in at 8pm this evening to, where you will be able to catch up with the whole of today’s web chat.

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Gary Rowett

14:59

Is Carson's distribution poor?

Richard Caple asks: Scott Carson’s distribution is very poor. Does he ever practice it on the training ground?

SN: I’m sure that all of the keepers will practice using their feet in different situations because it is now a big part of the game although I am more concerned with how he commands his area and the saves he makes.

Scott Carson in action against Sheffield United (Image: Andy Clarke)

14:54

Tempted to keep the same team?

Nick asks: Gary Rowett mentions changes for Tuesday but after a great win on Friday would you be tempted to keep the same team for momentum?

SN: I always like to keep a winning team because winning games is good for confidence and momentum but the game has changed. It is now very much a squad game and clubs have big squads, so it is understandable why managers switch things around for League Cup ties.

Time for Martin to move on?

Paul Webster asks: Potentially there’s pounds to be had selling Chris Martin. Do you envisage him going in January with David Nugent starting at the minute?

SN: It was reported that Wolves showed an interest in Chris Martin before the transfer window closed. Chris was Derby’s number one striker for three consecutive seasons but now there is greater competition up front and he is finding himself on the bench. Derby will need those options within the squad if they are to push on this season but all players have their value.

Chris Martin in action against Sheffield United (Image: Andy Clarke)

14:44

Bradley Johnson outstanding, or Hull City poor?

Ian asks: Why was Bradley Johnson able to play so well on Friday? Was it something different tactically or perhaps just a really poor Hull City midfield?

SN: Bradley was my man of the match against Hull. His natural game is not as a holding/defensive midfielder but as a midfielder who can surge forward and support attacks. That is what brought him his two goals against Hull, and his goal in the opening fixture at Sunderland. He showed this when he scored 15 goals in Norwich City’s promotion campaign from a narrow rather than wide left midfield role. He appeared to be handed more licence to get forward against Hull. The visitors were poor on the night and weak defensively, but you can only beat what is in front of you and Derby won 5-0. The challenge for Johnson, and the other players, is consistency. His performance against Hull was a throw back to when he first signed for Derby and he has to start showing that more often.

Bradley Johnson in action for Derby County (Image: Press Association)

14:39

Panic buys?

Rabinder Shanker asks: If Gary Rowett wanted Maikel Kieftenbeld from Birmingham then why did he wait until the last minute?

Ben Taylor asks: On transfer deadline day Derby signed/nearly signed/were linked with ex-Gary Rowett players. Should we plan better for signings? Seemed to be panic buys.

SN: Why do many clubs end up doing their business on deadline day? It makes no sense from the outside but a lot goes into making a deal happen. It can be like a domino effect- one move at one club can lead to another move at another club. Derby had to juggle ins and outs on the final day and usually the best way of doing that is to bring a player in before moving a player out. The loan deal for Craig Bryson had to be done earlier because it was a deal between clubs, Derby and Cardiff, in different countries. Derby gambled on allowing Bryson to leave in the belief they would land Kieftenbeld, and the gamble backfired.

Maikel Kieftenbeld

14:34

How do the Rams get more consistent?

Russell Fox asks: How can we translate Friday night into consistent performances?

SN: That is the task facing the players. One of Derby’s problems in recent seasons has been consistency, they could go eight games unbeaten and just as quickly go eight without a win. A team cannot win promotion with such peaks and troughs. As you say, Russell, consistency is the key.

Predictions?

Tim asks: What is your prediction for Derby this season?

SN: I was asked this before a ball was kicked this season and said I do not see them finishing in the top two but I do expect them to challenge for a top-six finish. They finished ninth last season and the aim has to be to improve on that position. I believe the Championship is wide open this season but that will also make it more competitive. Consistency will be the key, as always, and that is something Derby must find.

SN: It will be interesting to see if Bradley Johnson has similar licence to maraud from midfield in away games as he did in the 5-0 victory over Hull. How that works could dictate much about the shape of the midfield in the coming months. Huddlestone and Johnson are the two players in possession of the central midfield roles and it is up to the pair to follow up Friday’s performance. George Thorne’s contribution will very much depend on his match fitness, as you say Mike, and Jamie Hanson (calf injury) is still a few weeks away from being fit although Callum Guy is fit again. Chris Baird is naturally a defensive midfielder and it was clear that Birmingham City’s Maikel Kieftenbeld was seen as somebody who could offer balance to the midfield. Derby are to revisit that deal in January. It is a gamble to stick with the current numbers in midfield and that is why it would not be a surprise to see the club bring in a free agent.

What happened to the screens?

Nathan Middleton asks: Why are the TV screen’s off under the stands. They were off half of last season as well.

SN: Sorry, I didn’t know that and nor do I know the answer as to why. Have you mentioned it to anyone at the club?

14:13

Mason Bennett?

Ellis Hemstock asks: What’s happening with Mason Bennett because from what I see he’s not improved and I can’t see he has a future at Derby?

SN: I spoke to Mason after the pre-season friendly at Macclesfield in July and he is aware that this is a very big season for him at Derby. He is in the final year of his contract. Looking at the attacking options at Gary Rowett’s disposal - Lawrence, Weimann, Russell, Vydra, Nugent and Martin - Mason’s opportunities are likely to be limited although he could face Barnsley tomorrow.

Mason Bennett in action for Derby County at Grimsby Town (Image: Andy Clarke)

14:08

Winning formula?

Derek Wallace asks: Fantastic performance on Friday night. Will Gary Rowett keep a winning team, as I would, or will he pick a team thinking of who we are playing?

SN: The manager has said already that he will make changes for the Barnsley cup tie tomorrow night. He made 10 changes for the game against Grimsby in the previous round. The team to face Bristol City in the Championship at Ashton Gate on Saturday is likely to be the same or very similar to the one that beat Hull City.

Any further January transfers?

Richard Carson asks: I know the window’s just closed but is Gary Rowett likely to pursue Maikel Kieftenbeld again or other targets in the January window?

Secondly, are there likely to be any further additions in the January transfer window or is Rowett going to keep his powder dry until next June when ten of our players are out of contract?

SN: Gary Rowett told me at the weekend that he will look at the Kieftenbeld deal again in January, which is not really a surprise. Whether or not there will be other additions will very much depend on the shape of the squad, and where Derby sit in the table when the window reopens. As you correctly point out, there are many players out of contract in the summer.

13:52

George Thorne?

Nathan Middleton asks: With George Thorne nearing fitness, and we all know the quality he possesses, would you look to bring him straight back in or does he have to be patient? Bradley Johnson and Tom Huddlestone seem to have clicked so I’m keen to see how this unfolds.

SN: Much will depend on the form of the team and of the form/fitness of the midfielders in the team. George Thorne has not played a first-team game since May 2016 due to a lengthy injury lay off and it is important that care continues to be taken as he edges his way back to match fitness. He is expected to figure against Barnsley tomorrow night.

George Thorne celebrates scoring for Derby County U23s against Sunderland at Pride Park (Image: Andy Clarke)

13:47

Zanzala?

Michael Brindley asks: Do you expect Offrande Zanzala to play any part against Barnsley?

SN: Gary Rowett will use the Barnsley game to take the opportunity to look at one or two of the younger players, just as he did in the match against Grimsby in the previous round. Midfielder’s Max Bird and Callum Guy look set to be the two.

Offrande Zanzala of Derby County (Image: Getty Images)

13:38

Recruitment revamp?

Dan Green asks: As Gary Rowett was intent on trying to bring in Birmingham City players. Is it time for the club to revamp its recruitment department?

SN: I think there has been too much change in the recruitment department over the years and that has not helped. The department has often changed with the different managers. Is this the time for another revamp? The recruitment department and the manager will be judged on how the new signings perform over the season, and on results. That is normal.

Derby County manager Gary Rowett during the Hull City game (Image: Andy Clarke)

13:31

Hmmm....

Mostyn asks: Do you feel you’re able to do your job as well as you used to since your employer was took over?

SN: Absolutely. Our coverage of Derby County is more thorough and more diverse - words, reports, comment, videos, podcasts - than it has ever been. Moving with the times.

13:26

Chance for academy players?

Neil Radford? asks: Why don’t our Academy players get a chance in the first team?

SN: Timi Max Elsnik and Kellan Gordon featured as substitutes in the cup victory over Grimsby Town, and Mason Bennett started the game. Elsnik and Gordon have since gone out on loan which will be good for their development. I am all for giving young players an opportunity but they have to be good enough to either be in the XI or in the 18. Sixteen year old midfielder Max Bird looks set to be handed his senior debut in tomorrow night’s game at Barnsley and Callum Guy is set to be in the squad.

Kellan Gordon and Timi Max Elsnik

13:20

Kieftenbeld...

Theaz asks: I see we are still being linked to Maikel Kieftenbeld in the January transfer window. Will this potential signing stop us looking at free agents?

SN: I don’t think it would. Gary Rowett has said he will look at Kieftenbeld again in January but he is also considering bringing in a free agent.

Paul asks: Would you dip into the free agent market noting our lack of depth in midfield now?

DublinRam asks: We seem to be short of cover in midfield. What plans are you aware of to rectify this?

SN: Derby are looking at the free-agent market and Joe Ledley is one of the names on their radar, I understand. Gary Rowett has said he will use the Barnsley cup tie to take a look at how George Thorne and young Max Bird shape up although it is very early for both for different reasons. Thorne is still edging his way to match fitness after a lengthy injury lay off while Bird is only 16. Numbers in midfield are low following the departures of Jacob Butterfield, Craig Bryson and Timi Max Elsnik on loan on deadline day coupled with Derby missing out on Birmingham City’s Maikel Kieftenbeld. Jamie Hanson is recovering from injury, and Chris Baird is an option in a defensive midfield role as is Callum Guy. Ledley is 30, experienced, knows the division but it is a dilemma for manager Gary Rowett. Does he bring in a free agent or does he hope the squad gets Derby through to January when the club can revisit the Kieftenbeld transfer? I would probably look at bringing in a free agent on a short-term contract, if that is possible.

Joe Ledley

13:10

Kyle McAllister update

SN: Kyle McAllister was injured when he signed in January and did not feature last season. He has been training with the under-23s but he has picked up another injury, I am told, and so he has yet to feature for the under-23s this season.

13:05

Billy Davies

Sean asks: Having read the Billy Davies article, I’m interested to know, from a journalist point, what was he like with you when he was manager at Derby?

SN: Billy was great in his first season at Derby. His energy, his determination, his shrewd signings and how he quickly moulded a team all played a huge part in the club winning promotion. I recall a pre-season tour of Austria shortly after Billy was appointed. I remember sitting with Billy and chief executive Mike Horton at breakfast and noting the energy and the ideas sparking between the two of them.There was a new board under chairman Peter Gadsby and a new feeling around the place. You could sense something might be happening.Billy was good to work with in that first season. We had one or two disagreements but only one run-in of note and that came after a defeat at Crystal Palace late in the season although it appeared to have been forgotten by the next day. I like to think we got on well.The second season was more testing, and more difficult for the team and for everybody as Derby struggled in the Premier League. Billy might disagree, but I felt he changed. Derby had a different manager by the end of the November that season but what was achieved under Davies in 2006-07 must not be forgotten.

Derby County manager Billy Davies celebrates with the trophy after the Coca-Cola Championship Play-Off Final against West Bromwich Albion at Wembley Stadium. (Image: Press Association)

13:00

First question please....

Emily Ward asks: Chris Baird v Andre Wisdom. Who would you pick?

Paul O’kane asks: I am old-fashioned in my belief that defenders should first and foremost defend. I believe Chris Baird should keep the shirt and would like to ask who is the better defender Baird or Wisdom?

SN: Andre Wisdom has been one of Derby’s most consistent performers so far this season and Chris Baird impressed when he came in for Wisdom against Hull City.

Who is the better right back/defender?

Wisdom is physically stronger and quicker, which helps him against pacy wide players and helps him when he has to recover his position. Baird’s experience - he is 35, Wisdom is 24 - gives him the edge in positional play, which is important. He holds the shape better and shows greater patience when making challenges. This is no surprise as he finished last season as first-choice right back, deservedly. Baird used the ball well against Hull - his cross field pass to Matej Vydra in the build up to the first goal being a good example. Wisdom’s slide-rule pass to Johnny Russell in the build up to David Nugent’s second goal at Bolton was also a good example of use of the ball. Derby will need both players this season, as we have seen already. That is what a squad is about. Baird has the shirt and Wisdom will have to fight to win it back, according to Gary Rowett. That is how it should be because that is what creates competition.

Chris Baird in action for Derby County (Image: Getty Images)

12:50

Welcome!

Good afternoon and welcome to your Derby County LIVE web chat with chief football writer Steve Nicholson.

The first question will be up shortly, so be sure to tune in to see all your Rams related questions get answered.